As we are taught from elementary school, “America is a melting pot.” And in a pot packed with just about every ethnicity, religion, and home-country one could imagine, Muslims were never particularly conspicuous or threatening — until 9/11. With Americans in a state of shock and terror, emotions sometimes eclipsed logic and tragically led to brutal hate crimes against the perceived “perpetrators” of that terrible event. 12 years later, the dust and debris have long since settled. Has the violence?

Bail is not a one-size-fits-all arrangement. Depending on factors like the seriousness of the allegations and the suspect’s prior history of offenses, bail amounts can range from being low and affordable to being so expensive they effectively prohibit release from custody. But how is bail determined for the most serious felony offenses, like murder? Are murder suspects considered eligible to be released on bail? Homicide attorney Seth Koslow explains some of the basic rules and limitations on how and when bail may be set.

The simplest way to describe the difference between the three is as follows. Larceny, in itself, involves theft alone. Robbery requires that the accused use or threaten the use of some type of force or violence during the theft. Finally, Burglary in the general sense involves entering a home or building with the intent to commit a crime – even if no crime is actually committed. A more detailed description of these three types of crimes is provided below.

Driving while intoxicated, or DWI, is a very common charge that gets thousands of New Yorkers arrested each year. Even though the charge is common, it shouldn’t be taken lightly, as the penalties for drugged or drunk driving can be quite severe. Sentencing can be especially harsh if certain circumstances were involved in the offense.

The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) manages New York City’s prison population and all matters related to the imprisonment and custody of inmates and detainees. When a person has been charged with a crime, but has not been found guilty, he or she may be detained until bail is posted. New York assault lawyer Seth Koslow explains the DOC’s rules for posting bail in New York City’s detention facilities, such as the Manhattan Detention Complex (“The Tombs”) and the Brooklyn Detention Complex.

Any New Yorker can tell you that New York City has strict weapons laws. It’s common knowledge that most guns are banned, and what permits exist are hard to obtain; but what fewer people realize – sometimes with disastrous consequences – is that possession of simple household knives can also lead to criminal charges. With a recent veto of new legislation that would have reformed existing prohibitions, New York City’s tough knife laws will remain unchanged. If you or a loved one has been charged with knife possession, you need to make sure you are represented by a New York weapons possession lawyer. With the veto in place, penalties for knife possession remain harsh.

Manslaughter is one of the most serious crimes a defendant can be charged with in New York City. Seth Koslow explains the criminal penalties for manslaughter under New York’s penal code, including penalties for the related offenses of vehicular manslaughter and aggravated manslaughter.

Driving while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol (DWI) is a common but serious criminal charge. If you are convicted of DWI in New York City, you could face jail time, license suspension, costly fines, and other penalties – even if it is your first drunk driving offense. If you have been charged with drunk or drugged driving in New York City, it’s important to ensure that you are represented by a skilled New York DWI lawyer who understands the intricacies of local DWI laws. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your arrest, various legal defenses may be able to beat your DWI charges, or even lead to a dismissal of the case altogether.

When a person is charged with committing a crime, he or she may be taken into custody and detained at a county jail or other holding center. Generally, the detainee can secure freedom by making a payment called bail. Depending on the circumstances, bail may be paid with cash or by using a bond. In some cases, bail is completely free of charge, which is called “release on recognizance” or ROR. Whatever the situation may be, one factor is consistent: the defendant is expected to return to court after being released. Failure to do so can result in very serious consequences – including a new set of criminal charges. New York assault lawyer Seth Koslow explains the penalties for failure to appear in court after being bailed out of jail.

In previous decades, drug charges often arose from illegal street drugs like heroin, crack cocaine, and, prior to New York’s decriminalization law for small amounts, marijuana. Today, the abuse of prescription medications, such as OxyContin and Vicodin, has become the more prevalent issue, with an increasing number of overdose deaths each year. Despite their legality, prescription medications can lead to very serious criminal charges under certain circumstances. New York prescription drug possession lawyer Seth Koslow explains some of the laws — and penalties — surrounding prescription drug possession and distribution in New York City.Continue reading →